UAE: Hunt on for group that burned tree in viral video

The Fujairah Municipality on Monday issued a stern warning against a group of unidentified people who set a local Sidr tree on fire.

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The warning comes in response to a video of the fire that went viral on social media. “It is a reckless and irresponsible act that will be handled with zero tolerance,” said engineer Mohamad Saif Al Afkham, director-general of the Fujairah Municipality.

“We will track the people involved, and penalise them,” he warned. The incident reportedly happened in the emirate’s Sarm area, some 80km to the northeast of Fujairah city.

The Christ’s thorn tree, locally known as Sidr, is one of the local trees closely preserved in the UAE. “Setting fire to this tree or any other tree is unacceptable. It destroys the local environment.”

Inspection raids will soon start across Fujairah to ensure such incidents won’t happen again. “The public is advised to report any violations to the municipality at the toll-free number 80036,” said Al Afkham.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com